Paschall: LSU's Lee has second chance

Paschall: LSU's Lee has second chance

In what may be the most delayed second chance in Southeastern Conference football history, Jarrett Lee is back as Louisiana State's starting quarterback.

Lee redshirted in 2007, when the Tigers won their second national title in five years, and took the brunt of the blame for the program's slide in 2008. He started eight games in '08 and had 14 touchdown passes, but his seven interceptions returned for touchdowns set an NCAA single-season record.

There has been one start since, when Jordan Jefferson was injured and couldn't play against Louisiana Tech two years ago, but Jefferson's indefinite suspension following a second-degree battery charge has given Lee a reprieve. The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder played in 12 games last season as Jefferson's backup, averaging 48 passing yards a game.

"I expect a lot from Jarrett Lee," coach Les Miles said Wednesday. "I think his play in every game last year and certainly his play in some of the key games in last year's success were due to his drives. I think he's looking forward to seeing full games, start to finish, and I expect him to operate the offense better than he ever has."

LSU fans certainly hope so with Oregon up first and trips to Mississippi State and West Virginia later this month.

Pasquali's Pix

Utah State at Auburn: The Tigers have won 15 straight games for a fourth time in program history, a feat matched only by Alabama among SEC teams. Tigers 31, Aggies 16.

Kent State at Alabama: Nick Saban playing both AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims at quarterback pretty much sums up the intrigue in this one. Crimson Tide 52, Flashes 3.

UTC at Nebraska: Should the Mocs win, they would no longer need their "Restore the Glory" campaign. Cornhuskers 44, Mocs 17.

Montana at Tennessee: If college football games were decided solely on square miles, Tennessee would lose by 104,902. Vols 45, Grizzlies 14.

East Carolina vs. South Carolina: Connor Shaw has fared better than Stephen Garcia in recent scrimmages, and South Carolina's starting quarterback will be named Friday. Gamecocks 38, Pirates 19.

Oregon vs. LSU: The stadium announcer should page Willie Lyles a couple of times just to see if anyone giggles. Ducks 26, Tigers 21.

Boise State vs. Georgia: Once you get past the nausea of the uniforms, this could be a fun one to watch. Bulldogs 27, Broncos 24.

Miami at Maryland: If the Hurricanes can pull this off after their turbulent month, then Al Golden will prove he's one monstrous upgrade from Randy Shannon. Terrapins 23, Hurricanes 20.